Open to Debate

Raymond Massey as Abraham Lincoln in a scene from the film 'Abe Lincoln in Illinois' (aka 'Spirit of the People').

If there’s one thing we can agree on, it’s that politics makes great cinema—and the debating part of politics is no exception. In many ways, a debate is like a good movie plot: you’ve got two opposing sides, something at stake, a strong sense of structure. And the ways a debate can go off the rails can also throw off a movie, whether it be too long or too unfocused.

But some movies—and some arguments—get it way right. In honor of this year’s Presidential debate season, we hope we don’t have to persuade you to take a look at some of the best debate scenes in movie history, from Abe Lincoln in Illinois and The Great Debaters to Clueless and Old School.